Press Releases
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Thursday, 20 May 2010 00:00 |
Meet Machines of Grace. They are the latest among the gifted hard rock/heavy metal bands born from Boston’s thriving music scene. Zak Stevens (vocals), Jeff Plate (drums), Matt Leff (guitar) and Chris Rapoza (bass) have concocted their own proprietary formula for whiplash on a disc.
Top shelf status comes from the experience of successfully headlining major tours and support from a monumental fan base. Drummer Jeff (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Metal Church) Plate and lead singer Zak (Circle II Circle, Savatage) Stevens have the resume to help catapult Machines of Grace into the monsters of rock realm. “It’s just a pure, solid melodic rock sound,” offers Stevens. “It has infectious grooves and its own brand of outright power. To me, it’s got great songwriting with a hard rock edge and strong commercial appeal.”
Leff and Stevens have a lengthy history, spanning back to their days as protégés at GIT/VIT respectively. Their first band, Wickedwitch, also introduced the talents of drummer Jeff Plate, who clinched the line-up and formed the backbone of today’s brainchild: Machines of Grace.
During a considerable hiatus after the demise of the Wickedwitch project, Zak Stevens had gone on to front Savatage (and more recently, Circle II Circle), and later recruited Jeff Plate, who performs regularly with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and Metal Church. Meanwhile, Matt Leff had formed Trigger Effect, and with bassist Chris Rapoza, had toured as an opening act for Iron Maiden, Queensryche and Rob Halford.
Time had clearly hit the afterburners. Call it chemistry, fate or pure coincidence. A Wickedwitch fan suggested that the founding members revise, rethink, record and release the original material, and voila - Machines of Grace was conceived.
This band accords a shot of rock and roll that infuses several music genres with an innovative twist of smoldering vocals and bludgeoning guitar riffs. Blend that with an explosive rhythm section and you’ve got an exceptionally powerful elixir. “I’d say we’re a mix of melodic metal, hard rock, modern rock and acoustic rock,” explains guitarist Matt Leff. “The current rock climate is calling for modern production, strong vocal melodies and memorable songs from guys that can really play. I think we fit that description.” Bassist Chris Rapoza agrees: “The CD has an amazing vibe that just flows really well and makes you want to listen to it all the way through. To me, song writing and recording with that same quality always makes for the best type of album.”
Jeff Plate tops off the sentiment: “The music is metal, but not thrash. Rock, but not pop. We could be compared to a number of different bands, and each song will give you a different impression, but in the end the sound is distinctly Machines of Grace.”
That sound is likewise attributed to the talents of veteran mixologist Paul David Hager. Credited with engineering, mixing and producing studio work by acts such as The Goo Goo Dolls, Avril Lavigne, Pink and Tracy Bonham, Hager brings to the table a record destined for the spotlight, and plenty of industry accolades.
Live, this band brings new meaning to the term full throttle. The killer studio version of the music not withstanding, Machines of Grace takes a live performance experience to a whole new level. Fans will really enjoy the dueling guitar and vocal arrangements, while the second-to-none rhythm section welds them together perfectly. Zak promises, “You’ll hear the emphasis on the album, the way the mix very closely depicts how this band actually sounds when we plug in.” How many bands these days can do that?
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FAST-RISING METALLISTS, MACHINES OF GRACE, SIGN ON WITH NEW AGENCY, PLOT PLANS FOR 2010 |
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Monday, 11 January 2010 21:51 |
Comprised of band members Zak Stevens (vocals, whose credits include Circle II Circle, Savatage), Matt Leff (guitars), Chris Rapoza (bass), and Jeff Plate (drums, whose credits include Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Metal Church), the Boston-based band Machines of Grace manages to both pay tribute to their metal forefathers while also keeping a modern hard rock edge throughout their just-issued self-titled debut.
And now, Machines of Grace are fully prepared to do battle with the big names of rock and metal, as the group recently signed on with Redlion Music (aka the Redlion Family). Right now, the group is planning to take it to the stage, as preparations are underway to bring Machines of Grace to the European Festival circuit for the summer, with further dates planned to begin in the early fall.
And the accolades continue to pour in, including the following:
"Before Machines of Grace took the stage most of the crowd had no clue who they were. By the time they left the stage they owned the crowd". - Heavymetalsuite101.com
"The Moment" is the sort of track that has AOR hit single written all over it". - Metalreviews.com
"If there was ever a band that has all the pieces of the puzzle in place, it is this one. There is also a bonding that goes back a long ways, that bond is what makes this one of the tightest units you will ever hear". - SeaOfTranquility.com
"The self-titled debut ‘Machines Of Grace’ is one of those legendary “Monster” albums that has something for everyone on it". - Rockoveramerica.com
"MOG's attention to emotion and mood adds a professional soundscape missing in our “single” fixated music marketplace. It also shows how accomplished the core musicianship of this band really is". - GuitarFueledRock.com
Soon, metalheads worldwide will be able to experience what the buzz is all about on a concert stage near your hometown, as Machines of Grace are guaranteed to rock the house down! “Machines Of Grace is that '71 Chevelle SS that you have been working on in your shop for years...and now it's time to take it to the strip and show it off!”, exclaims Plate, when asked about the MoG concert experience. “This is the next step in bringing Machines Of Grace to the masses. With our experience, the musicianship and quality songs that we carry, and desire to win over every person at every show, I know we will not disappoint."
For the latest information on MACHINES OF GRACE, visit their official website at the following location: www.machinesofgrace.net |
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Live Performances and Radio Blitz Announced! |
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Monday, 24 August 2009 16:58 |
Metalheads take note - September will see the first-ever performances from fast rising rockers, Machines of Grace. The shows will include a pair of performances in New York, as well as an additional one in Ohio.
Additionally, the group will appear the same month on several renowned radio shows, including House Of Hair, CNN's Measure To Measure program, The Chop Shop Radio Show, Tour Bus Radio, and SiriusXM Radio with Eddie Trunk.
Comprised of band members Zak Stevens (vocals, whose credits include Circle II Circle, Savatage), Matt Leff (guitars), Chris Rapoza (bass), and Jeff Plate (drums, whose credits include Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Metal Church), the Boston-based band manages to both pay tribute to their metal forefathers while also keeping a modern hard rock edge throughout their just-issued self-titled debut.
"We're excited to get on stage and play this material live," says Leff. "As Zak pointed out in a recent interview, it'll be a real trip looking across the stage and seeing us playing live together again. We've got a very short window of opportunity for shows because Jeff starts his TSO rehearsals in early October. We'll do these three shows for now and tour more extensively in early 2010."
"I feel like these are going to be some of the most relaxed, yet intense shows I've been involved with in a long time," adds Stevens. "Simply because the material is so familiar and this band represents what our initial rock and roll dreams were. My first shot at being a live vocalist was with these guys. So for me, playing with MoG is like coming full circle."
Machines of Grace has garnered glowing reviews from such esteemed online music sources as BraveWords.com (who describe the group as "A throwback to a simpler time when the almighty riff and strong melody lines ruled a la Badlands, Brother Cane and Tangier; raucous, groove-ridden soul to the max") and All Music Guide (who raved "Machines of Grace do possess an unmistakable '80s flair about them - but with a much more succinct and mainstream rock-based songwriting style"). And now, not only will you be able to truly understand what all the early buzz is about with their debut recording, but lucky fans will get the opportunity to experience it all on a concert stage.
Lastly, Plate adds his thoughts about taking Machines of Grace out on the road. "My thoughts on playing live with this group for the first time? Excited, anxious, confident... Machines Of Grace is that '71 Chevelle SS that you have been working on in your shop for years. Now it's time to take it to the strip and show it off! It has been 10 years since I performed on stage with Zack Stevens and 16 years since performing with Matt Leff, and I know it will feel like yesterday when we blast into our first tune. Chris Rapoza is new to the mix, but there is no doubt that the energy he brought to the studio is going to translate onstage as well. This is the next step in bringing Machines Of Grace to the masses. With our experience, the musicianship and quality songs that we carry, combined with our desire to win over every person at every show, I know we will not disappoint."
UPCOMING MACHINES OF GRACE TOUR DATES:
09/12/2009 12:00 PM
Binghamton Area Metalfest
Endicott, New York, USA
The Country Pines
1660 Union Center Highway
Endicott, New York
Line-Up:
THE RODS (Headliner) - CAGE (Co-Headliner) - MACHINES OF GRACE (Special Guests)
- SINNER ( Judas Priest tribute band) - ELEVATOR DEATH SQUAD - BEYOND FALLEN -
RAVAGE - CURSED FROM BIRTH - JANE EVIL - THIS CITY NEEDS A HERO
09/13/2009 08:00 PM
Club Europa
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Line-Up:
CAGE, MACHINES OF GRACE, RAVAGE, MARTYRD, PHOENIX REIGN.
09/24/2009
House of Blues
Cleveland, OH
Line-Up:
STRYPER, FLIGHT PATTERNS, MACHINES OF GRACE |
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Machines of Grace on the Radio |
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Thursday, 30 July 2009 21:19 |
On the strength of their self-titled debut, melodic metallists MACHINES OF GRACE are steadily assaulting rock radio.
In less than a month (the group's debut was issued on July 7th), the group landed at #4 on FMQB 'most added' chart, with 34 adds (debut 50 bullet with 41 spins) and was #3 on CMJ's 'most added' chart, with 48 adds. Machines of Grace has also enjoyed a strong showing on radio stations throughout the US, including such heavy hitters as Austin's KROX, Los Angeles' FMJ, Kansas City's KKFI, and Chicago's WKTA, among countless others. With such an incredible early radio buzz, the list of radio adds will surely only grow larger. |
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Machines of Grace Debut Album In Stores |
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Tuesday, 07 July 2009 20:52 |
MACHINES OF GRACE SET TO UNLEASH SELF-TITLED DEBUT ON JULY 7TH VIA ITUNES AND OTHER RETAILERS. ENTER TO WIN $ 100.00 ITUNES GIFT CARD, SIGNED DRUM HEAD AND HOODED SWEATSHIRTS VIA MACHINESOFGRACE.NET CONTEST
Paying tribute to their metal forefathers while also keeping a modern hard rock edge, the Boston-based quartet, Machines of Grace, is one of the few currents acts that will appeal to both factions. Their self-titled debut, which will be released digitally on July 7th, certainly proves this, as evidenced by such white hot/melodic rockers as "Just A Game," "Psychotic," and "Fly Away."
Comprised of band members Zak Stevens (vocals, whose credits include Circle II Circle, Savatage), Matt Leff (guitars), Chris Rapoza (bass), and Jeff Plate (drums, whose credits include Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Metal Church), the album was mixed by renowned studio expert Paul David Hagar (who has worked over the years with acts such as the Goo Goo Dolls, Avril Lavigne, Pink, and Tracy Bonham). The band is offering fans a contest via their site, in which one grand prize winner will get a $100 iTunes gift card, a drum head signed by Jeff Plate, and a Machines Of Grace hooded sweatshirt, while three runner up winners will receive a $25 iTunes gift card. All fans that sign up for the group's newsletter via their site will receive a 20% off coupon code for pre-ordering the album.
"I'd say we're a mix of melodic metal, hard rock, modern rock and acoustic rock," explains Leff. "The current rock climate is calling for modern production, strong vocal melodies and memorable songs from guys that can really play. I think we fit that description." Plate tops off the sentiment: "The music is metal, but not thrash. Rock, but not pop. We could be compared to a number of different bands, and each song will give you a different impression, but in the end the sound is distinctly Machines of Grace." Reflecting the band's words, BraveWords.com recently described Machines of Grace as "A throwback to a simpler time when the almighty riff and strong melody lines ruled ala Badlands, Brother Cane and Tangier; raucous, groove-ridden soul to the max."
PHYSICAL CD: Buy Direct from Band with Paypal:
CDBaby:
FYE.com
DIGITAL: Amazon MP3:
iTunes: |
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